Irish Car Buying Glossary

A tax payable when a vehicle is first registered in Ireland. Calculated based on the car's OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) and CO2 emissions band. VRT rates range from 7% to 37% depending on the emissions category. If you're importing a car from the UK or Europe, you must pay VRT before the car can be legally driven on Irish roads. Use the Autoza VRT Calculator to estimate your liability.

Ireland's mandatory roadworthiness test, equivalent to the UK MOT. First test at 4 years old, then every 2 years until 10 years, then annually. Tests are conducted at NCTS centres across Ireland. A valid NCT disc must be displayed. Failing the NCT means certain items must be repaired and the car retested. Book online at ncts.ie.

A car finance product where you pay a deposit, make monthly payments for a fixed term (typically 3–5 years), then choose to: pay a final balloon payment to own the car, return the car, or trade it in. PCP offers lower monthly payments than HP but you don't own the car until the final payment. Subject to mileage limits and condition requirements.

A car finance product where you pay a deposit followed by fixed monthly payments over a set period (typically 3–5 years). Once all payments are made, you own the car outright. Monthly payments are higher than PCP but there is no balloon payment at the end. The car is technically owned by the finance company until the final payment.

The representative body for the motor industry in Ireland, covering new car dealers, used car dealers, and motor industry service providers. SIMI members agree to abide by a Code of Ethics. When buying from a SIMI member, you have additional consumer protections and an avenue for dispute resolution.

Ireland's leading vehicle history checking service. A Cartell check reveals: previous owners, mileage history, outstanding finance, insurance write-off status, stolen vehicle checks, and VRT/customs history. Always recommended before buying a used car. Available at cartell.ie.

Another popular vehicle history checking service in Ireland. Similar to Cartell, it provides mileage verification, finance checks, write-off status, and ownership history. Available at myvehicle.ie.

A tax applied when an employer provides an employee with a company car for personal use. BIK is calculated as a percentage of the car's Original Market Value (OMV) and is added to the employee's taxable income. Electric vehicles currently receive favourable BIK rates in Ireland.

The price Revenue uses to calculate VRT. It represents what a vehicle would reasonably sell for on the open Irish market, including all taxes. Revenue determines OMSP based on the vehicle's make, model, year, mileage, and condition.

An annual tax payable to your local motor tax office or online at motortax.ie. The amount depends on the car's CO2 emissions (for cars registered after July 2008) or engine size (for older cars). Motor tax must be kept current — driving without valid motor tax is an offence.

The official document proving a vehicle is registered in Ireland. Previously known as the RF101 or logbook. The VRC shows the registered owner, vehicle details, and registration number. When buying a used car, ensure the VRC is present and the seller's name matches.

Cars in Ireland are categorised into emissions bands (A to G) based on their CO2 output in grams per kilometre. Band A (0–80 g/km) has the lowest motor tax and VRT rates. Band G (over 225 g/km) has the highest. Electric vehicles fall into Band A.

SEAI offers grants for purchasing electric vehicles — up to €3,500 for new BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles). There is also a VRT relief of up to €5,000 for electric cars. These incentives make EVs more affordable in Ireland. Check seai.ie for current grant amounts.

An additional VRT charge applied to vehicles based on their NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions. This primarily affects diesel vehicles. The surcharge is €5 per mg/km for NOx emissions between 0–60 mg/km and €15 per mg/km above 60 mg/km.

When a car is written off by an insurer after an accident, it is assigned a category: Cat A (scrap only), Cat B (body shell crushed, parts salvageable), Cat S (structurally damaged but repairable), or Cat N (non-structural damage). Always check write-off status via Cartell or MyVehicle before buying.

Autoza's proprietary 0–100 dealer rating system. Calculated from identity verification (25 pts), customer reviews (25 pts), response time (20 pts), listing quality (15 pts), and sales history (15 pts). Unique to Autoza — no other Irish marketplace offers this. Read more at autoza.ie/guides/dealer-trust-score.

Ireland's first AI car sales assistant, built into every dealer listing on Autoza. Aidan responds to buyer questions 24/7, understands NCT, VRT, county locations, and Irish reg plates. Available on every listing page.